His identity was confirmed on February 22, although his details were only removed from a missing persons’ website yesterday.

Police forensics team by Fazakerley Station

Liverpool coroner, Andre Rebello, has now asked the hospital trust responsible for Fazakerley, along with Merseyside Police and British Transport Police (BTP), to carry out an investigation into how Mr Morrell’s disappearance was handled after he was reported missing.

Mr Rebello said that, after such a long period of time, it may be “well nigh impossible” to ascertain the cause of death.

He added this was a “complex investigation” which would involve the public authorities responsible carrying out a review into what search attempts were made to find Mr Morrell, and why the search was called off.

Mr Rebello said: “For the family, it’s not just the bereavement of the person who went missing 10 years ago, it’s a re-opening of all these wounds. That really is unfortunate.”

The investigation was launched after a human skull was found hidden in undergrowth just south of Fazakerley station last month.

British Transport Police then cordoned off a large area of scrubland and discovered other human bones.

The discovery was initially made by six workmen who were cutting down trees and undergrowth along the banks of the railway line.